Cucumbers are easy to grow in a backyard garden.Vegetables can be grown in containers on an apartment porch or balcony.They don't need a lot of water or sunlight once you've prepared the soil.
Step 1: There is a sunny location to plant cucumbers.
Cucumbers are a tropical vegetable and need a lot of sunlight to grow.They shouldn't be shaded from the afternoon sun.Cucumbers grow deep, so don't plant them near trees.Cucumber plants will compete with tree roots for water and nutrition.How many plants you can have depends on the size of your space.You should be able to vining plants 36 to 60 inches apart.If you're growing them vertically, you should be able to grow them between the trellises.
Step 2: The weeds need to be removed from the area.
Cucumbers can be grown in a weed-free area.If you have weeds in the soil, they will starve your cucumbers.There are small weeds that can be left in the soil for fertilization.Pull the weeds by hand, yanking up as much of the root as possible.There is a good chance that the same weed will grow again if you leave the root behind.It's a good idea to avoid using herbicides as a shortcut.The soil is unsuitable for plant growth due to the use of chemical and organic herbicides.
Step 3: The soil's pH should be close to 7.0.
Cucumbers thrive in soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline.A pH testing kit can be purchased at any garden supply center or hardware store.Adding agricultural lime will increase the pH of your soil.The pH can be decreased by adding sulfur or aluminum sulfate.
Step 4: Go into the soil and spread thefertilizer.
The slow-release granularfertilizer is the best way to feed your cucumbers.To loosen the soil, use a trowel to chop up it.This makes it easier to mix thefertilizer into the soil.Rich compost or aged manures can be used for natural fertilization.Slowly cut and work them into the soil at a depth of 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm).
Step 5: Adding organic material will improve the quality of the soil.
The ideal soil for cucumbers is loose, light, and sandy.The type of soil gets warmer more quickly.Add organic material if you have more clay in your soil.Peat, compost, or rotted manure can be used to improve soil.
Step 6: A bush or vine plant is a good choice.
The vines are more common than the bush plants.A bush plant is easier to work with if you have limited space.Cucumbers can be placed in containers.Even with limited space, you can still have a vine plant.If you want to create a vertical garden, build or purchase trellises.
Step 7: You can choose a variety.
There are many different types of cucumbers.If you're not sure which one to pick, visit a local farmer's market and sample several different varieties.European or Dutch greenhouse varieties have a bitter-free genes, so if you're sensitive to bitterness, try them.If cucumbers make you burp, try Asian varieties, which are marketed as burp-less.Cucumbers from England and the Netherlands are burp-less.
Step 8: The soil needs to be at least 70 F.
Cucumbers are sensitive to cold temperatures.Wait at least 2 weeks after the last frost to plant cucumbers.If you want an early crop, start your seeds indoors about 3 weeks before you plan to plant, and then transplant the seedlings to your garden.You can warm the soil by covering it with black plastic in cooler climates.Cucumbers can be grown inside if your area isn't suited to growing them outdoors.
Step 9: Before seeding, make the soil moist.
If you stick your finger in the soil, you'll know if it's dry.Water the soil before seeding if you feel dry up to your first knuckle.The risk that you could wash your seeds away is reduced by watering the soil before planting.
Step 10: Start with a seed.
Cucumbers have root systems that are fragile.It's easier to seed the garden than it is to transplant it.Drop 3 or 4 seeds in a group.You can choose the strongest plant by planting seeds together.Move the entire structure out of the starter pot, soil and all.The soil protects the plant's roots.If you transplant a cucumber without a root, it won't survive.
Step 11: Push the seeds into the soil.
Cucumber seeds should be less than 2.5 cm in diameter.You can place them on top of the soil and cover them with the same depth of soil.Be careful not to pack the seed if you use the flat side of a hoe.
Step 12: The plants should be given plenty of room.
A lot of space is needed for vining plants.Cucumber vines can grow up to 8 feet in length.The vines can spread over the ground in large gardens.You may want fewer plants if you have limited space.Cucumber plants can become stressed if they are too crowded.The cucumbers will taste bitter and won't grow to size.The production will decrease.It's across and about 20 cm deep.The best drainage for the plant is ensured by having several drain holes in the container.
Step 13: Set up a structure.
Cucumbers grown vertically give you a higher yield.It keeps the vegetables clean.If you want to grow cucumbers vertically, you should get your vines ready before they start growing.A 12 to 18 in (30 to 46 cm) diameter cage can be created using 4 or 5 ft welded wire fencing or hog wire.2 or 3 vines can be supported by this size cage.The vine tendrils can be wrapped around the wire to encourage the plant to grow.
Step 14: Once the plants grow, add mulch.
The return of weeds can affect the health of your cucumbers.The soil is warm and moist.If you want additional warmth, use a darker mulch.If you're using wood chips, wait until the soil has warmed up to at least 70 F.
Step 15: Cucumbers should be kept well-hydrated.
Cucumber plants should be moist at all times.Cucumbers need at least 1 to 2 inches of water a week to stay hydrated.As the plant flowers and starts to produce fruit, be careful.Cucumbers have a bitter taste because of stress from lack of water.There is water at the soil level.The leaves are wet.A drip irrigation system can keep the foliage dry by regulating the water flow.
Step 16: Cucumbers can be shaded from excess heat.
Cucumbers will need some shade from the afternoon sun if you live in an area where summer temperatures climb above 90 F.Use a shade cloth that blocks at least 40 percent of the sun's rays to grow taller crops south of your cucumbers.
Step 17: Netting protects plants from wildlife.
A mesh net will keep rabbits away.A berry basket is used to protect seeds and tiny seedlings from being dug up by animals.The netting can be removed once the plants get bigger.A fence around your garden would help protect your cucumbers.
Step 18: When flowers begin to bud,fertilize again.
If you fertilized your soil before seeding, wait until runners appear on the vines and the flowers begin to bud, then add a mild liquid fertilization or organic feed such as compost or aged manure every 2 weeks.Plants need more nitrogen when the leaves turn yellow.A high-nitrogenfertilizer is something to look for.Don't put thefertilizer on the leaves or fruits of the plant.
Step 19: Use pesticides to fight pests.
At your local gardening center you can buy both organic and inorganic pesticides.The first sign of insects is when you spray your plants.There are fungicidal properties to sulfur.If you are using sulfur as an organic fungicide, you should check your soil's pH regularly to make sure it is suitable for cucumbers.Follow directions carefully when using any insecticides.If used wrong, organic insecticides can be dangerous.
Step 20: Pick the cucumbers that are the right size.
You don't want to let your cucumbers get too big or leave them on the vine too long.Depending on the variety of cucumbers you've planted, the best size to harvest depends on it.Cucumbers from the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean regions are shorter and thicker than American cucumbers.Asian varieties are typically long and slender.American slicers should be at least 6 to 8 inches long.Picklers should be 3 to 5 inches (8.6 to 12.7 cm) in length, while Middle Eastern varieties can be found at 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm).
Step 21: Pick cucumbers.
If you pick cucumbers frequently, the plant will grow more cucumbers.Pick the cucumbers that are the right size for the variety you have.While picking cucumbers, look for weeds and inspect your plants for signs of insects or disease.The soil and water should be checked.Cucumbers need a lot of water.
Step 22: Pruning shears can be used to pick cucumbers.
Take hold of the cucumber and cut the stem above the end.Many people think they can pull a cucumber from a vine.You risk damaging the vine when you do this.
Step 23: Cucumbers should be refrigerated to keep them fresh.
After you harvest your cucumbers, try to use them as soon as possible.You can keep them in the fridge for up to 10 days.If you put them in a bag, refrigerating them will keep them from drying out.